Get Outside and Explore
Fall is here in California and October is the perfect time to hike near Big Bear Lake. I headed up the wide paved road to the Butler Peak Fire Lookout. The road is also a popular OHV route, and I started to be passed by multiple off-road vehicles. The landscape was dry and parched, characteristic of fall in California, but brightened by the flecks of color, as the leaves changed their shade.
Here I was, back in Idyllwild again, years later. I picked up my permit at the ranger station kiosk which is open 24 hours. The permits can be limited to places such as Tahquitz Peak during peak times of the year. So you must always pick one up, before you head out. I then drove toward Humber Park, and reached the parking area around 7:45 am. Once I arrived at the parking area, right away I spotted beautiful Lily Rock towering up above. Today I was hiking with a friend, who had yet to hike to Red Tahquitz Peak, so this would be a first for both of us. The area of Tahquitz Peak and Lily Rock is a popular rock climbing area as well, and I noticed several climbers heading out from the trailhead as well.
It'a mid February and I am driving north from Orange County toward the LA mountains to hike to Etiwanda Falls. There has been an abundance of snow covering the high peaks of the Angeles Forest, a mere hour drive from my home. How it Got its Name In 1882 early settlers of the area named… Continue reading Etiwanda Falls and Preserve
I drove up the scenic and winding Highway 33, and the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, on my way to Bertha Peak, elevation 8199. It is one of the high peaks surrounding Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino National Forest. The hike would be 7.4 miles, and a level of moderate.
So here we were, at the South Fork Trailhead, just three days before we would leave for the High Sierra Trail, doing a shakedown hike. We were starting late, and that was my fault. But I wanted to go ahead with the shakedown hike anyway, since we were running out of days to do this, before the Sierras. I wanted to have one day to recover before we headed up there. We arrived just after 4pm, and had just a few hours of sunlight left. The parking lot was completely empty of cars, which was not what I was expecting.
Serafina Hikes 